A federal judge in Minnesota has ruled that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents must obtain a judicial warrant to enter homes without consent, contradicting an internal ICE memo that claims such warrants are not necessary. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by a Liberian national named Garrison Gibson, who was arrested at his home in January after he refused to let ICE agents in without a warrant.
Gibson's case involves allegations of a previous incident where ICE agents forcibly entered his home, using pepper spray and a battering ram to gain entry. He claims that the agents showed him an administrative warrant, which is issued by ICE supervisors rather than independent judges, without obtaining his consent.
The ruling by US District Court judge Jeffrey Bryan asserts that federal agents violated the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by entering Gibson's home without a judicial warrant and without his consent. The decision implies that ICE's internal guidance on Form I-205, an administrative document used for removing non-citizens from the country, is at odds with long-standing constitutional limits.
Civil liberties advocates argue that allowing executive-issued warrants to justify home entry would undermine the judicial review required before the government can cross the threshold of a private residence. Orin Kerr, widely regarded as a leading Fourth Amendment scholar, wrote that ICE's position conflicts with these limits and would erode the neutrality of the executive branch.
Gibson was released from detention after the judge's ruling, but his case highlights ongoing concerns about ICE's enforcement practices in Minnesota and other parts of the country. The facility where Gibson was held, known as the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, has become a focal point for protests and community attention amid aggressive federal operations.
ICE acknowledged the request for comment but did not provide a substantive response before publication. In a statement, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin claimed that people served with administrative warrants have received "full due process and a final order of removal" and asserted that officers issuing the warrants had found probable cause. However, the judge's ruling implicitly rejects this view.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between ICE's enforcement efforts and constitutional protections for individuals' rights to privacy and safety in their homes.
Gibson's case involves allegations of a previous incident where ICE agents forcibly entered his home, using pepper spray and a battering ram to gain entry. He claims that the agents showed him an administrative warrant, which is issued by ICE supervisors rather than independent judges, without obtaining his consent.
The ruling by US District Court judge Jeffrey Bryan asserts that federal agents violated the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution by entering Gibson's home without a judicial warrant and without his consent. The decision implies that ICE's internal guidance on Form I-205, an administrative document used for removing non-citizens from the country, is at odds with long-standing constitutional limits.
Civil liberties advocates argue that allowing executive-issued warrants to justify home entry would undermine the judicial review required before the government can cross the threshold of a private residence. Orin Kerr, widely regarded as a leading Fourth Amendment scholar, wrote that ICE's position conflicts with these limits and would erode the neutrality of the executive branch.
Gibson was released from detention after the judge's ruling, but his case highlights ongoing concerns about ICE's enforcement practices in Minnesota and other parts of the country. The facility where Gibson was held, known as the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, has become a focal point for protests and community attention amid aggressive federal operations.
ICE acknowledged the request for comment but did not provide a substantive response before publication. In a statement, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin claimed that people served with administrative warrants have received "full due process and a final order of removal" and asserted that officers issuing the warrants had found probable cause. However, the judge's ruling implicitly rejects this view.
The case underscores the ongoing tension between ICE's enforcement efforts and constitutional protections for individuals' rights to privacy and safety in their homes.
like wtf is wrong with them? they're just gonna barge into some dude's home w/ pepper spray & battering ram without even gettin a warrant lol no thanks, that's just crazy talk! and now this judge is all like yeah, you gotta get a real warrant 4 that 
, it makes so much sense! i mean, who needs executive-issued warrants 2 justify breakin into people's homes? that's just a recipe 4 disaster! Gibson was right 2 stand up 2 those agents, imo 
This ruling is a total game-changer 
I'm not surprised civil liberties advocates are stoked about this one, 'cause who wouldn't want the government knockin on their door unannounced? 
This ruling just highlights how important it is to have a system in place that protects our rights and keeps us safe from overreach. And honestly, it's kinda crazy that there was even an internal memo from ICE saying warrants weren't necessary... it just goes to show how far they were willing to go to push boundaries 
, he literally risked his freedom to fight for what's right, even if it's not easy 
. I get why ICE is trying to streamline things but I feel the judge made a super solid call 
, homes are private spaces and we gotta protect those rights 
like, dont even get me started on these admin warrants... i thought we had some kinda system in place 2 prevent this kinda stuff from happenin? 
guess not?
they claimed they had an admin warrant but it turns out its not legit according to the judge 
its all about protecting people's rights to privacy and safety in their homes 
cant let the govt just barge in on you without permission 
... anyway, I'm so glad a judge finally stepped in and said "nope" 
... anyway, hope Garrison Gibson gets justice and is free from all this drama 
.
I'm so glad a federal judge is finally stepping in to protect people's right to privacy at home! Can you imagine being woken up in the middle of the night by ICE agents using a battering ram? 
ice is trying to say these admin warrants are legit but the judge is like nope not in my books 
what's even more worrisome is how this case has sparked protests & community attention at the facility where garrison gibson was held 